Manchester United travelled to the east of Spain yesterday as they face Villarreal in the penultimate Champions League group match of the campaign on Tuesday.
Their preparations have been far from ideal following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in light of their 4-1 defeat to Watford as Michael Carrick has taken the reins as temporary boss.
Mason Greenwood tested positive for coronavirus prior to the trip to Vicarage Road with Paul Pogba out through a thigh injury which was picked up on international duty, whilst Raphael Varane remains sidelined after limping off last time out in Europe against Atalanta.
Villarreal have had a similar spell of form with just four wins since they departed Old Trafford empty-handed after Cristiano Ronaldo scored late on.
They sit 12th in La Liga, five points off the drop zone but a win over Carrick's side could see them leapfrog United and into top spot leaving the Reds with it all to do in the final group stage and hope for a slip up from Gian Piero Gasperini's side.
Unai Emery's side come into the clash on the back of a 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo but Gerard Moreno, Etienne Capoue, Paco Alcacer and Arnaut Danjuma all missed the trip to Vigo.
Capoue, Alcacer and Danjuma, however, were both pictured in training ahead of United's visit with Moreno the only confirmed absentee.
Juan Foyth was withdrawn late on during the weekend's draw but Emery has confirmed that was part of his recovery from a hamstring injury.
With it all to play for and in light of the Reds' recent form, it can be expected that the Yellow Submarine will set up with an attacking intent.
Geronimo Rulli is expected to continue in goal with Juan Foyth, Raul Albiol, Pau Torres and Alberto Moreno making up the backline.
Similar to the reverse fixture, Villarreal could line-up in a 4-3-3 formation with Manuel Trigueros, Dani Parejo and Etienne Capoue in midfield.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Danjuma, Villarreal can seek reassurances from his tormenting display of United last time out and could start on the right of an attacking trio alongside Alcacer and 19-year-old Yeremi Pino.
Predicted Villarreal XI vs Manchester United: Rulli; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Moreno; Trigueros, Capoue, Parejo; Danjuma, Alcacer, Pino.
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